The holiday party season has begun, with the chamber of commerce annual affair in Edgartown, the town party at the Agricultural Hall held this weekend, and Christmas in Edgartown is happening all weekend. Katherine Long of Scotchman’s Lane will be hosting her 36th annual Winter Solstice Party on Sunday at her home from noon until 9 p.m. Her party is nothing short of superb and is sure to be one of the highlights of the holiday season.

We had another wild weekend with rain and wind and another storm on Tuesday. There was just a trace of snow on the ground spotted by early risers on Sunday morning. The weather did not stop all sorts of decorations, wreaths, outdoor lights and Christmas trees from being put up all around town. The spirit of the Holiday season is upon us.

I celebrated my birthday last week and my wife Anna cooked a superb roast beef dinner with all the fixings topped off with a homemade mince pie. Charlie Kernick and his wife Stevie, son Sam, and Phyllis Meras were dinner guests and Charlie brought along a superb kale salad to share. I had nearly 200 messages on social media from as far away as Australia and Europe. Many thanks to all of you!

I am sure most of you have your shopping mostly done and are well prepared for Christmas. Some have everything all wrapped like Jane Konicki and Judy Hall have done. However, some of us are just beginning that frantic mad scramble to get it all together for the holiday. We promised ourselves we would not let it slide after last year, but once again are franticly working against the clock with just 13 days remaining before the big day.

Phyllis Meras returned home on Thursday from a trip to Freeport, Me. On the way back home, she began to work on her always interesting annual Christmas poem that will be featured in next week’s paper. Everyone is always interested in her theme and in seeing if their name makes it in the poem, and what presents she has given out to them.

It is turning out to be a musical week at the library. On Friday from 4 to 5 p.m. the library will host another Happy Music Hour with a classical guitar concert by Nate Sprague. Happy Music Hour is free and open to the public. On Sunday from 4 to 5 p.m. the Eric Johnson and Sam Graber-Hahn Duo will play guitar/violin duos from Bach to the Beatles at the library, also free and open to the public. They have a musical time planned for Thursday at the library when the Long Point Five will perform a number of historical, holiday pieces. Jerry Muskin and Tom Dresser will speak about Music on Martha’s Vineyard, his recently published book. They will share some tales about the two of them writing the book, and memorable interviews with local musicians, as well as historical characters they researched. The history of music on the Vineyard goes back to the mid 1800s, with the first piano, the renaming of Music Street, and sea chanteys of long ago. The program begins at 4:30 and runs to 6 p.m.

Amy Hoff over at the library reports that the work of painter Billy Hoff will be on display in the community room for the month of December. The library will host a reception on Saturday from 4 to 5 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Paul Karasik reports that a big 80s dance party takes place at Dreamland tomorrow night as the charter school hosts its annual Rock Auction. Great auction items include a plane ride from Katama field with Capt. Livingston Taylor, a new freezer full of local meat and seafood, an authentic clambake for 12 at Hancock Beach and tons more. Plus, D.J. Jay Araujo spins hits from the 80s. Attendees are encouraged to dine downstairs at the MV Chowder Co. prior to the party. Tickets are $20 at the door.

Anna Carringer over at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum reports that their annual Jewelry Jingle will be held tomorrow from 9 a.m. to noon at their headquarters on School street in Edgartown. Also, the museum and gift shop is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will hold the annual wreath lighting at the Edgartown Lighthouse tonight at 5 p.m.

Greg Orcutt reports that each year Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard awards it’s Spirit of the Vineyard Award to a person who has served with one or more nonprofit organizations on the Island, and whose work has made a difference to individuals and the community as a whole. The year’s recipient is John Early. There will be a ceremony at the library on Sunday, Dec. 28, at 2 p.m. to honor John and to present him with the Spirit of the Vineyard award.

Happy birthday to Linda Baughman, Valerie Stoyer, Abigail Rogers, Frank Sinatra, John Thurber and Alan Reekie today; MaryBeth Daniels, Simon Bollin and Nicholas Ocando tomorrow; Rick Karney, Harvey Garneau, Brett Fisher, Susie Trees and Barry Rosenthal on Sunday; Nick Thayer, Timothy Sylva, Rachel Schubert, Brad Segel and Michelle Brescia, Monday; Sue Hruby, Jon Fragosa and Ben Rossi on Tuesday; Amy Eisenlor, Peter Farrelly, Carol Brandon and Steve Bowen on Wednesday, and to Warren Hollinshead, Sam Griswald and Abby Webster on Thursday.

Hanukkah — the eight day festival of lights — starts Tuesday evening. Coming at the onset of winter, it celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, purity over contamination and spirituality over materialism.

Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s edition. If you have any news please call or email me. Have a great week!

Send your West Tisbury news to: alleys@vineyard.net.